Dive Brief:
- Chinese automaker BYD has partnered with Phoenix-based Wayne Engineering to unveil a new electric collection truck in the U.S., as reported by CNET.
- The truck weighs 3.9 tons, will produce no emissions and can travel an estimated 100 miles on one charge.
- BYD estimates that this could reduce operating costs 58% per mile.
Dive Insight:
BYD recently unveiled a fully-electric fleet of sanitation vehicles in partnership with a major Beijing collection company. Those vehicles run on iron phosphate batteries and have the ability to recharge other vehicles in the field. BYD has not released details on the battery used in its U.S. model.
The U.S. truck will have regenerative braking though, which is a main feature in a new technology from Wrightspeed that has been receiving a lot of attention. The Wrightspeed concept uses an electric powertrain which so far has been installed in a new model from Mack Trucks as well as older retrofitted trucks. Because collection vehicles stop so frequently this regenerative braking feature can lead to big cost savings for hybrid and fully electric models.
The new BYD vehicle's cost hasn't been disclosed yet and charging infrastructure would also be a factor for companies to figure out. Though as companies work to address changing emissions standards and a continuing focus on environmental justice for communities, these types of clean, quiet trucks may start appearing on routes in greater numbers soon.
